A stunning double from summer signing Camilo Durán helped Celtic open up a commanding lead against LASK Linz in their Champions League playoff.
Benjamin Nygren also produced a superb finish to send Martin O'Neill's side on their way to a 3-0 first-leg win over their Austrian opponents in Glasgow.
Celtic fell at the same hurdle last year after failing to sign a proven striker following the departure of Kyogo Furuhashi six months earlier. But this time they appear to have reaped the benefit of their purchases of Durán from Qarabag and Kasper Høgh from Bodo/Glimt.
O'Neill said of his double goalscorer: "He was exceptional. Really exceptional. He's been fantastic for us since he's arrived at the football club.
"His goals were terrific, his play was great. His running back, helping full-backs, helping Colby (Donovan) out on a number of occasions. It was just a magnificent performance.
"And if he stays clear of injury, he's going to be a really, really good player.
"Whatever we paid for Duran, I think he has paid his ticket by now. I don't think it was an awful lot of money when you consider some of the fees that they're talking about for the Premier League.
"I think he's a real bargain -- £4.5million or something like that there."
The visitors had two goals disallowed for offside and created chances throughout in an open encounter but Celtic were clinical as they continued their strong start to the season.
Nygren has been at the heart of it with four goals and four assists in as many games and he opened the scoring in the 26th minute.
The Sweden international readjusted his body to volley into the top corner from 20 yards after a weak clearance from Kieran Tierney's cross.
Durán scored a near identical goal eight minutes later, firing into the same top corner from the same spot after Tierney's cross was headed out. The only major difference was the Colombian struck his volley first time.
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The former Qarabag forward netted his third Celtic goal midway through the second half, exchanging passes with Nygren after a flick from Høgh, and stroking the ball into the top corner from inside the box.
PA contributed to this report.
